Our Team

Teamwork - The Foundation of Our Success

It's almost a truism today that a company's people are its greatest asset.  But at Scott A. Goffstein & Associates, this is definitely the case.  We believe in the skills, talents and commitments of our people.  And, as you'll see, together they provide a group that we proudly refer to as Team Scott A. Goffstein.  It is the combination of their talent and ability to work as a team that we believe sets us apart from the rest.

Our Partners and Management Team

Deborah B. Keenan, C.P.A.

Debbie Keenan is a CPA who brings an unusual ability to understand the whole range of complex tax and accounting issues facing a client.  She's been with the firm since 1992 and in that time has become involved with a wide variety of companies.  Before joining the firm, Debbie worked in the tax department of The Boston Company handling tax matters for high net worth individuals.  Before that, she was in the accounting department of an office supply company.  Debbie graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.  She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of CPA's.  She lives in Malden when she's not skiing in Vermont.

Michael J. Higgins, C.P.A., M.S.T.

Michael Higgins is a CPA with an expertise in a wide range of corporate tax matters. He has been with the firm since 1995 and in that time he has successfully handled tax problems and related issues for a multitude of different companies in a broad range of industries. Michael is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Salem State College, and a Master of Science in Taxation from Bentley College. Currently he resides in the North Shore area with his family.

Terri Delaney

Terri Delaney is a senior staff member who is highly proficient in the areas of bookkeeping, payroll, and sales taxes.  She has had extensive experience in private industry, first with Sudbury Systems and then with ADI Reporting Services.  She also ran her own bookkeeping firm.  She helps clients organize and resolve multi-state sales tax issues, customer invoicing as it relates to international clients, and other bookkeeping intricacies.  Terri is not just computer literate;  she is familiar with more than twenty software programs.  She currently lives in the MetroWest area with her two children.

Sherry M. Mahony , C.P.A

Sherry is a CPA with a diverse background in public and private accounting.  Prior to joining the firm, Sherry worked in public accounting on financial statement audits and corporate tax returns, and in private accounting as the controller of a local not-for-profit.  Her experiences have exposed her to various industries and several aspects of financial and tax accounting.  Sherry completed a 5-year program at Bentley College in 2000 to earn her B.S. in Accounting, M.S. in Accounting Information Systems and a Graduate Certificate in Taxation.  Always eager to learn more, Sherry is still enrolled at Bentley College and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Taxation.  In her spare time, Sherry enjoys attending sporting events and rollerblading along the Charles River.

Our Staff

Sanghita Baishya

Sanghita has varied experience in the field of accounting and taxation.  She has previously worked with the accounting team of one of the largest marketing organizations in India and on a foreign stock exchange.  She moved to the United States in 2002 and started her career here working as a tax associate for a national firm.  A Chartered Accountant from India, she also has a BS in Accounting and successfully completed the May 2003 CPA exam.  In her leisure hours, she likes to watch movies of Audrey Hepburn and Alfred Hitchcock.  She also enjoys traveling.  She lives with her husband and daughter in Framingham.

Yulia Govorushko

Prior to joining the firm, Yulia worked as a controller at a private software company. Yulia helped guide the company’s financial and administrative areas from start-up to its acquisition by a major software company. Yulia has extensive experience in financial planning and analysis through her work with other mid-level and large companies, both private and public.

Yulia received her MBA in Finance from Boston University and is currently pursuing a Master Degree in Accounting from University of Massachusetts-Boston. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and raised in Riga, Latvia; she now lives in Watertown with her husband and two children.

Michelle Higgins

Michelle Higgins brings a variety of experience from the accounting world. Prior to joining the firm, Michelle worked at a public firm on corporate tax returns, financial statements, bookkeeping, payroll and sales tax. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, she now resides in Bellingham, with her two daughters.

Elena Johnson

Originally from Russia, Elena moved to the United States in 2004. During her time in Russia she studied accounting and tax law as well as worked for the Russian State Department of Taxation auditing corporate tax returns. Prior to joining the firm, Elena worked in the accounting department for a Virginia based construction company and also spent several years working for a firm preparing individual income tax returns. In addition to her responsibilities with the firm, Elena is enrolled as an undergraduate at Salem State College's Business Administration program with a concentration in accounting. After graduating she plans to take the CPA exam. Elena lives with her husband in Salem.

Kenneth L. Kadis, C.P.A.

Ken Kadis is a CPA who devotes his time to going through the multiple tasks necessary to prepare complex tax returns.  Prior to joining the firm in 1997, Ken spent nearly two decades with three of the top mid-sized accounting firms in the area.  He has prepared tax returns for a multi-unit nursing home company; he was in charge of certified audit and tax work for a major garment manufacturer; and he worked for Bolt, Beranek & Newman when they were developing Telcomp, a precursor to the Internet. Ken received his B.A. from Bentley and an M.B.A. from Babson in 1983.  He lives in Brookline with his wife.  In his spare time, Ken, a Diamond Life Master, and his wife compete nationally in duplicate bridge tournaments.

Patrick McHeffey

Patrick McHeffey graduated with high honors and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island before moving to Boston in September 2009. Through his studies at RWU and his apprenticeship with two seasoned accountants, Patrick developed a strong foundation in business concepts. In 2008, he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma - the global honor society serving business programs accredited by the Association for Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) in recognition of his academic success. Originally from New York, Patrick enjoys music, art, history, the outdoors, and is optimizing his new and exciting opportunities with Scott A. Goffstein & Associates, LLP.

Marcia Nickerson

Marcia joined the firm in February of 2006.  She brings a variety of experience in the administration and accounting fields to the firm.  Prior to joining the firm, Marcia worked in payroll and human resources for a record label company and was an office manager and sales assistant for an inventor in San Diego, CA.  She has four children and three grandchildren and now resides in Salem, MA.

Traci Paquin

Traci comes from a diverse background as a child of naval officer and spent much of her younger years in foreign countries. Drawing from her vast experiences in retail, the hospitality industry, and non-profits she brings a myriad of know-how to our administrative team. During her down time you can often find her reading or experimenting in the kitchen.

Kristin M. Perez, C.P.A.

Kristin Perez is a C.P.A. who has spent time working both in private industry and in public accounting.  Prior to joining the firm, Kristin was the controller of a custom training development company, and previously worked as the assistant controller of a pre-IPO market research firm.  She began her career in the accounting profession working in the tax department of a mid-sized regional firm.  Originally from Norwell, MA, Kristin earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. in Finance from Bentley College.  She resides in the Metrowest area with her husband and three children.

Heet Shah

Originally from India, Heet moved to United States in 2003. During his time in India, Heet studied accounting at H.A College of Commerce. Prior to joining the firm, Heet worked at Citizens Bank as a senior teller. During his time at Citizens, Heet processed routine transactions for customers including servicing customer accounts, accepting loan payments, and resolved customers' problems and complaints. He also supervised the other tellers in the performance of all duties including providing on the job training to employees. Heet graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Boston in May 2008 where he attained a B.S in Management with a concentration in Accounting. Heet now plans to take the CPA exam and pursue his Masters degree thereafter. In his spare time, Heet enjoys watching sports and listening to sports radio. He currently lives in Belmont.

Marina Sheynina

Originally from Latvia, Marina moved to the United States in 1996. During her time in Latvia she obtained her Master's degree in Civil Engineering and worked for the Latvian Construction Institute. When Latvia separated from the Soviet Union and became independent Marina completely changed her profession and worked as a manager in the Baltic Stock Exchange and Baltic International Bank. Prior to joining the firm, Marina worked at Citizens Bank. During her time with Citizens she became familiar with accounting and decided to achieve a professional level in the field by pursuing a professional certification in accounting at Boston College. Always eager to learn more she plans to enroll in additional courses in taxation as time allows. In her spare time, Marina enjoys reading, swimming, dancing and spending time with her daughter. Marina lives in West Roxbury.

Amanda Siano

In 2006 Amanda joined Scott A. Goffstein & Associates, LLP, to lend part time support to the administrative infrastructure of the company. Today, she oversees the administrative operations of the firm in her role as office manager. Amanda draws her administrative skills and expertise from over 14 years in the corporate world. Prior to joining the firm she held the position of office manager for a software company in the manufacturing industry. Amanda is a 1995 graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and a member of both the Association for Accounting Administration and the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Currently she and her family reside in the Merrimack Valley area.

Return to Top